Food vouchers and free holiday clubs living

FOOD vouchers and free holiday clubs will be made available over the Easter holidays for Leicestershire families facing huge rises in the cost of living.

Vouchers worth £45 have been made available to parents and carers of some 14,000 children, who are eligible for free school meals, in Leicestershire to pay for food during the two-week break that starts on April 11.

Families that qualify for free school meals can also sign their children up for free Easter holiday activities.

Leicestershire County Council is administering the food voucher scheme, through schools, and the activities programme using dedicated Government funding.

The council is working with Active Together (formerly Leicester

& Rutland Sport) to run the Holidays Together Easter 2022 programme, offering a number of places to eligible primary and secondary school pupils across the county as part of the Government’s Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme, funded by the Department for Education.

Eligible children and young people (aged four to 16) can access up to four sessions in total during the Easter holidays – free of charge.

Families can sign up for activities by visiting www.leicestershire.gov. uk/HAF.

The holiday clubs involve helping young people learn new things, from sport to music, dance to drama, art to cooking and even gardening. Free, nutritious meals will also be provided.

Deputy council leader and cabinet member for children and families councillor Deborah Taylor said: “It’s clear many families are struggling with the soaring cost of living at the moment but there is help available.

“In the past holiday food vouchers have been offered at £15 a week but over Easter we have the funding to make more available so there will be £45 for a fortnight. This is important extra help.

“We are so pleased to be able to offer Holidays Together to children and young people this Easter alongside our partner, Active Together.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for young people to have fun while getting to grips with a host of new activities, enjoying time with their friends, eating healthy food and coming away with some new skills – all in a safe environment over the holidays.”

A variety of activities are available this s umm e r ( s ch em e - dependent), including arts and crafts, role play, football, dance, athletics, gardening, cooking, den building and smoothie making.

The council and Active Together are working with local schools, voluntary

Councillor Deborah Taylor and community organisations, and childcare providers to host our Holidays Together HAF programme.

Backed by a nationwide investment of more than £200 million per year, the expanded HAF programme initially ran during Easter 2021 in all local areas and is also scheduled for 2022’s summer and Christmas holidays.

Further details about the Holidays Together programme can be found on the Active Together website: www.active-together.org/holidays-together

You can visit the website at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/ holiday- activitiesand-food-programme-2021 for more information on the national programme.

This is a fantastic opportunity for young people to have fun while getting to grips with a host of activities